Concept Maps for General Chemistry Boyd L. EarlTwo concept maps have been developed to represent the organization of the material in a first-semester general chemistry course. By providing these maps to students and referring to them in class, it is hoped that the instructor can assist students in maintaining a grasp of the "big picture" during the progress of the course.Earl, Boyd L. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1788.

Atomic Properties / Structure |

Gases |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Stoichiometry |

Periodicity / Periodic Table

Origin of the Formulas of Dihydrogen and Other Simple MoleculesAndrew WilliamsThe logic and experimental data are described with which chemists originally deduced the formulas of fundamental substances such as H2, H2O, Cl2, NH3, CH4, and HCl. It is argued that high school and first-year undergraduate students would gain substantially from exposure to this process.Williams, Andrew. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1779.

Enrichment / Review Materials |

Molecular Properties / Structure

Structures for the ABO(H) Blood Group: Which Textbook Is Correct?John M. RisleySix textbooks and two Internet sites show different structures for the A, B, and O(H) antigens of the ABO(H) blood group, but none of them are correct. This article emphasizes the correct molecular structures because it is important to distinguish between those carbohydrates that make up the antigens and those that are not part of the antigenic structures.Risley, John M. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1546.

Astrochemistry Examples in the ClassroomReggie L. HudsonIn this article some recent developments in astrochemistry are suggested as examples for the teaching of acid-base chemistry, molecular structure, and chemical reactivity. Suggestions for additional reading are provided, with an emphasis on readily-accessible materials.Hudson, Reggie L. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1611.

Acids / Bases |

Astrochemistry |

IR Spectroscopy |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Brønsted-Lowry Acids / Bases

More on the Nature of ResonanceRobert C. KerberThe author continues to find the use of delocalization preferable to resonance. Kerber, Robert C. . J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1291.

Aromatic Compounds |

Covalent Bonding |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Resonance Theory |

Nomenclature / Units / Symbols

More on the Nature of ResonanceWilliam B. JensenSupplements a recent article on the interpretation of resonance theory with three additional observationsone historical and two conceptual.Jensen, William B. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1290.

If It's Resonance, What Is Resonating?Robert C. KerberThis article reviews the origin of the terminology associated with the use of more than one Lewis-type structure to describe delocalized bonding in molecules and how the original usage has evolved to reduce confusionKerber, Robert C. . J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 223.

Aromatic Compounds |

Covalent Bonding |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Nomenclature / Units / Symbols |

Resonance Theory

A Set of Hands-On Exercises on Conformational AnalysisSilvina C. Pellegrinet and Ernesto G. MataThis article describes a set of comprehensive exercises on conformational analysis that employs a hands-on approach by the use of molecular modeling kits. In addition, the exercises provide illustrations of other topics such as nomenclature, functional groups, and isomerism, and introduce some notions of chirality. Pellegrinet, Silvina C.; Mata, Ernesto G. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 73.

Infrared Spectroscopy in the General Chemistry LabMargaret A. HillThree laboratory exercises in which students learn to interpret infrared spectra for simple structural identification. A polymer identification lab uses familiar household polymer samples and teaches students how to use infrared spectral data to determine what bond types are present in the polymers. In a second lab, students learn to prepare potassium bromide pellets of fluorene derivatives and identify them by their functional group differences. The final exercise combines IR with several other lab techniques to identify an organic acid from a field of fourteen possibilities.Hill, Margaret A. J. Chem. Educ.2001, 78, 26.

A Comment on Molecular Geometry Frank J. GombaA method of determining the correct molecular geometry of simple molecules and ions with one central atom is proposed. While the usual method of determining the molecular geometry involves first drawing the Lewis structure, this method can be used without doing so. In fact, the Lewis structure need not be drawn at all. The Lewis structure may be drawn as the final step, with the geometry of the simple molecule or ion already established.Gomba, Frank J. J. Chem. Educ.1999, 76, 1732.

An Organoleptic Laboratory ExperimentJohn M. RisleyCompounds in ten different classes of organic molecules that are used in the fragrance and food industry are provided to students. Students whiff the vapors of each compound and describe the organoleptic properties using a set of terms utilized in the fragrance and food industry. A set of questions guides students to an understanding of the relationship between structure of molecules and smell.Risley, John M. J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 1181.

Representing isomeric structures: Five applications.Thall, Edwin.Five applications of a new method that the author calls Representing Isomeric Structures, in which arrows are used to point to unique sites on the carbon skeleton to represent functional groups.Thall, Edwin. J. Chem. Educ.1992, 69, 447.

A LAP on moles: Teaching an important conceptIhde, JohnThe objective of the Learning Activity Packet on moles include understanding the basic concept of the mole as a chemical unit, knowing the relationships between the mole and the atomic weights in the periodic table, and being able to solve basic conversion problems involving grams, moles, atoms, and molecules. [Debut]Ihde, John J. Chem. Educ.1985, 62, 58.

Empirical formulas - A ratio problemKnox, KerroA problem involving an analogy between ratios of boys to girls given their average weights and percentage composition of the class by weight.Knox, Kerro J. Chem. Educ.1980, 57, 879.

Chemical queries. Especially for introductory chemistry teachersYoung, J. A.; Malik, J. G.; Strong, Laurence E.(1) What evidence, understandable and acceptable to students, do most teachers cite to describe the transfer of charge from one electrode to another in the direct current electrolysis of an electrolyte solution? (2) What is a compound? - answer by Strong. (3) What is a molecule? - answer by Strong.Young, J. A.; Malik, J. G.; Strong, Laurence E. J. Chem. Educ.1970, 47, 523.

Computer simulation of experimental dataShwendeman, R. H.This note describes some of the techniques in programming used to generate a sufficient variety of experimental data to provide each student with his own set of numbers for analysis in conjunction with the demonstration laboratory.Shwendeman, R. H. J. Chem. Educ.1968, 45, 665.

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Physical Properties |

Gas Chromatography

Structure units: Aids in the interpretation of chemical reactionsStrong, Laurence E.the proposal to define structure units as generators of the various properties of a substance has a considerable advantage over the usual definition of a structure unit as the endpoint of some prescribed scheme of subdivision.Strong, Laurence E. J. Chem. Educ.1968, 45, 51.

Learning Theories |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Solids |

Liquids |

Gases

General chemistry exercise using atomic and molecular orbital modelsWalker, Ruth A.Styrofoam balls and pipecleaners are used to construct models designed to convey an understanding of the three-dimensionality of the electron distribution in the ground state atom and the effect of bonding on this distribution.Walker, Ruth A. J. Chem. Educ.1965, 42, 672.

Amphoteric molecules, ions and saltsDavidson, DavidIt is the aim of this paper to call attention to the splendid opportunity amphoteric substances afford for the teaching of acid-base principles.Davidson, David J. Chem. Educ.1955, 32, 550.